Lim’s Rally – Hard to beat with Beasley aboard (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Since racing switched to Kranji back in 2000, the now Dester Three-Year-Old Challenge and in particular the first leg – the Sprint – has earmarked a horse for bigger and better things.
From BETTER THAN EVER to WAR AFFAIR, good horses win this race and more often than not go onto become champions in their own right.
And when you consider two of the recent winners – GINGERBREAD MAN and SUPER EASY – are currently standing at Stud in Australia and New Zealand respectively, you could argue this race and series are as important as any of the bigger races on the Singapore calendar.
So who wins?
Only one undefeated horse will head to the start and the aptly named AWESOME will be looking to 
emulate some of the other horses that won this race without a blemish to their name.
But while he will have admirers it might be the Pat Shaw-trained MAGNUM that starts favourite.
The NZ-bred gelding got blinkers last start and his win was easily good enough to think he can win a race that has remarkably alluded his champion South African handler.
Most others can win and you would be a mug not to be watching this great race.
Best Bets: (LIM’S RALLY race 5, win), (MAGNUM race 9, win) and (RUN IT TWICE race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 11), race 9 (1, 2, 9 and 13), race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 9), race 11 (1, 3, 4 and 5).
Race cards and Larry Foley’s synopsis follows and for updates on all runners go to www.kranjiracing.com
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
Race 5
Selections; 1 LIM’S RALLY – 2 SOLARIS SPECTRUM – 10 MY BROTHERS KEEPER – 4 GOLD PEREGRINE
The first of the better races, a Class 3 over 1400m on the turf. LIM’S RALLY ran on well over 1200m in a BM89 last start, he is better suited here and has won in this Class and distance; he should be hard to beat with Dan Beasley aboard. MY BROTHERS KEEPER is fresh and his recent trial was solid, he has won three times at the trip and with Manoel Nunes up he should get a good run throughout. SOLARIS SPECTRUM won over 1200m in a BM74 last start, all four wins have been at 1200m and while he is on trial at the trip, he runs on and can be in the finish. GOLD PEREGRINE only battled last start but should be improved after a good first-up effort and he has won at this distance. Of the others, WONDERFUL PRINCE is rarely far away but is tested in this grade while BRAHMS AND LISZT and GOLDEN TOMAHAWK have chances.
1 LIM’S RALLY *** Ran on well over 1200m in a BM89 last start. Better suited here and has won in this Class and distance. Hard to beat with Beasley aboard. 3.00
2 SOLARIS SPECTRUM *** Won well over 1200m in BM74 last start. All four wins have been at 1200m and on trial at the trip. Runs on and can be in the finish. 4.00
3 GANADOR ** Argentinean who was running in a Group 2 in 2014 over 1800m at San Isidro behind Blue Danube. Trials have been fair. Watch market. 20
4 GOLD PEREGRINE *** Cold make excuses last start and should be improved after good first-up effort and has won at this distance. 10
5 LAUGHING GRAVY ** Has put in fair efforts at recent outings but may want longer. 25
6 WONDERFUL PRINCE ** Rarely far away and recent trial was strong. Value. 10
7 ANY RUMOUR * Did nothing when resuming and better over longer. 33
8 BRAHMS AND LISZT ** Up in Grade but has a 3kg claim and can get a good run throughout. Has won at the distance. 12
9 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK * Racing well and should get a good run throughout. Best form has been on poly. 16
10 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Excuses last start and has trailed well since. Big show over his pet trip with no weight. 4.00
Race 6
Selections; 2 RIDE OF VALKYRIES – 5 AIR FORCE ONE – 1 SMART LAD – 6 SUNNY
An interesting group of stayers compete over 2200m in a KSC. Pat Shaw has taken over the training of RIDE OF VALKYRIES and she already has shown improvement at her first run where she had excuses. She has a touch of class and will be hard to beat with a senior hoop up. In saying that she does have AIR FORCE ONE to beat. The 4YO is a strong stayer who beat most of this field fair and square last start; he can set his own tempo and will be hard to run down. SMART LAD won a Class 4 last start over 1800m, he has always shown promise and placed at his only try at the journey; he has a decent weight but with Manoel Nunes up should be in the finish. Of the others KAI POWER and SUNNY are stout stayers who may appreciate a solid tempo.
1 SMART LAD *** Won a Class 4 last start over 1800m. Has always shown promise and placed at his only try at the journey. Has to give them all weight but has Nunes and should be in the finish. 3.50
2 RIDE OF VALKYRIES *** Excuses before running on nicely at first run for Pat Shaw and should be improved. Has a touch of class and will be hard to beat. 3.00
3 KAI POWER ** Runs on strongly. Claim helps and will be in the finish. 8.00
4 FUJIN BRIGHT ** Recent form ordinary but could set the tempo at odds. 33
5 AIR FORCE ONE *** Strong stayer who won a BM67 last start. Can set his own tempo and will be hard to run down. 3.50
6 SUNNY ** Dour stayer who will be running on late in race and track that suits. 8.00
7 DANGER ZONE ** Finds it hard to win but in the exotic mix similar affair last start. 20
8 SALUT AMOUR * Battles away and another that could be included in skinny end of exotics. 16
Race 7
Selections; 2 RISKY ROCKEFELLER – 1 THESE STREETS – 3 VIVIANO – 4 CHASE
A competitive Class 3 over 1400m with not much between several of the runners. RISKY ROCKEFELLER has shown good form since coming to Singapore after winning a Bairnsdale Maiden. The 5YO blew the start before running on fairly in Class 3 last start and will get every chance with Corey Brown up to make quick amends. The blinkers come off THESE STREETS. He is rarely far away and has won four times at this trip; with Vlad Duric up he will get a good run throughout. VIVIANO is racing solidly in this grade after a Class 4 win, he is suited at this trip and with Manoel Nunes up should be handy throughout. CHASE was given too big a task when resuming; he is better suited here and should run on well. They look the main chances though POLE PARADISE is racing consistently and should get a good run throughout.
1 THESE STREETS *** Headgear off and recent trial suggests he is ready to turn consistent form into a win. 3.50
2 RISKY ROCKEFELLER *** Excuses at the start before running on in Class 3 after two good wins. Big show. 4.00
3 VIVIANO *** Visor on. Racing solidly in this grade after Class 4 win. Suited this trip and with Nunes up should be handy throughout. 3.50
4 CHASE *** Was given too big a task when resuming. Better suited here and should run on well. 4.50
5 PRECIOUS GEM * Resuming and better suited over longer. 33
6 DAVINCI * Has struggled since resuming and needs to improve. 20
7 INTENSE GOLD ** Will find this harder but always a show over 1400m. 16
8 POLE PARADISE ** Racing consistently and should get a good run throughout. Each-way. 12
9 SAND BANK * Has been battling away in Class 4 and might find this too hard. 33
Race 8
Selections; 9 SACRED CROWN – 8 REAL GOODMAN – 11 SUPER VELOX – 3 AFTERNOON DELIGHT
This race is so ordinary that horses that usually have place chances at best look like they get a chance to knock in a rare win. How rare? Try SUPER VELOX being some hope first-up to break his maiden status which started some 70 starts back in September 2011. But SACRED CROWN is in OK form and knows how to win. His recent runs have mostly been competitive if not better and he looks well placed here to pick up another cheque. Of the others, REAL GOODMAN is better over longer but is in form, HANDSOME BAB, FAT FARRAND, AFTERNOON DELIGHT and PURE WHITE all look some hope with ratings in the lofty 30’s. What makes this race even more ugly is that’s it’s a quaddie/jackpot leg!
1 HANDSOME BAB *** Had his chances but will not find a race easier than this. 12
2 FAT FARRAND *** Drawn wide but showed form last start and can win. 8.00
3 AFTERNOON DELIGHT *** Recent form better than most and looks the hardest to beat with V Duric up. 4.00
4 PURE WHITE *** Long-term maiden status an issue but gives this a shake on some recent form. 8.00
5 FLYING MISSION ** Not a million miles away last start and could consider at long odds. 33
6 JACK OF HEARTS ** Got home OK last start and could be ready to show something in Singapore. 12
7 JACKPOT * Winkers to blinkers but has been struggling. 20
8 REAL GOODMAN *** Better again over longer but in form and goes close. 8.00
9 SACRED CROWN *** In solid form and can win a race like this without surprising. 4.00
10 STATE TROOPER ** Very unreliable but not the worst on his day. 20
11 SUPER VELOX *** Resuming. 70 start maiden who looks a chance. 12
12 GENUINE BARGAIN ** Gets the ace and could give a sight on best form. 33
Race 9
Selections; 2 MAGNUM – 1 NOVA STRIKE – 9 AWESOME – 13 O’WHAT A FEELING
As you would expect, a very strong field will head to the start for the 2016 Dester Singapore Three-Year-Old-Sprint. Interestingly, there is only one undefeated horse in the field – the aptly named AWESOME – and while he faces his biggest test at just start three, he must be respected. But at set weight conditions you always have to look at the top of the ratings and NOVA STRIKE and MAGNUM appeal. In fact MAGNUM’s last start win when blinkers went on was very impressive and he looks hardest to beat. NOVA STRIKE gets Nunes and gate 1 and is honest and good enough to be the benchmark. Most others have shown enough to keep those mentioned honest but if the race suits the back markers, keep O’WHAT A FEELING and RAFAELLO very safe.
1 NOVA STRIKE *** Highest rated 3YO in the race and rarely runs a bad race. Each-way. 12
2 MAGNUM *** Very smart and strong last start win when blinkers went on has him the one to beat here. 2.50
3 CONFLIGHT ** Very hard to fault Poly form but having first race start on the turf so take on trust. 12
4 INFANTRY ** Dead-heated last start in Class 4 but yet to run a bad race. 12
5 GOLDEN SWORD ** Last win was also a dead-heat and subsequent runs good enough to be in the mix. 12
6 RAFAELLO ** Resuming with nice trial under his belt. Better over longer but will work into this late. 20
7 MORITZ ECLIPSE ** Appreciates first-up run and should be competitive with blinkers back off. 33
8 ASTROJET * Coming off tough Novice win at odds and might be tested in this field. 20
9 AWESOME *** Facing biggest test to date but only undefeated horse in the field so have to respect. 6.00
10 MARINE TREASURE * Coming off a Poly KSD win and should be tested. 33
11 ELISE * Needs to lift on recent form. 100
12 LIM’S KNIGHT ** Was odds-on when placing at Progress level last start but should keep a few honest. 14
13 O’WHAT A FEELING *** Very progressive type resuming and could loom large late. 12
14 PEER GYNT * Honest but wide gate makes this very tough. 20
15 BANDIDO * Maiden win was on the Poly and should be tested. 50
Race 10
Selections; 1 BEST JADE – 2 IMPERIAL BOY – 3 Q NINE MAGIC – 9 LUCKY SIX
A tough race given bar a last start Class 5 winner in ANGRY CAT and HAPPY HAPPY who placed at long odds last start, most need to improve on recent form. In saying that, BEST JADE had excuses two starts back (lame) and will appreciate being back on the Poly so can show his best in this company. Nunes from a good gate helps. IMPERIAL BOY will also try to make use of a nice gate and while his two wins have been over 1000m, he should look the winner at some stage late. Don’t disregard Q NINE MAGIC in a race that suits and LUCKY SIX is in very honest form and has to be respected. Blanket over most others.
1 BEST JADE *** Disappointing last start but enjoys the Poly and appreciates this company. 5.00
2 IMPERIAL BOY *** Couldn’t lead last start but battled on well. Follow. 4.00
3 Q NINE MAGIC *** Form better than it reads and always a winning show in this type of race. 12
4 HAPPY HAPPY ** Showed more than enough first-up to follow this campaign. 12
5 LUCKY BOY ** Yet to place on the Poly but has had excuses so keep safe on solid form. 8.00
6 MIGHTY MAN ** Can mix his form and have to take on trust. 10
7 HELEN ** Very disappointing last start but goes well in this type of race on her day. 20
8 FAST EDITION ** Winkers off but better recent form is on the turf. 20
9 LUCKY SIX *** Drawn wide but always an each-way hope in races like this. 6.00
10 ANGRY CAT ** Took Class 5 to win but can include in exotics while in form. 12
11 JUBILATION * Blinkers off but struggling of late. 50
12 MOTHER NATURE ** Drawn badly but backed up a maiden win with a solid run and pay to follow. 12
13 KAISER ** Form starting to read badly but always some hope in this company. 20
14 STOCK BROKER ** Honest but love to see in Class 5. 20
Race 11
Selections; 1 RUN IT TWICE – 3 WONDERFUL – 5 ARION – 4 OPTIMUS
As befitting a day that honours the top 3YO sprinters, the last race is a beauty and it very well may be a 3YO that wins. ARION is the horse in question and given what he showed when winning at start two, he is certainly up to Class 4 at this stage of his career. However, we do love a good Class dropper and while RUN IT TWICE has only one win to his name in Singapore, he can win in Class 4 company. He is resuming but in his favour – apart from the company – is the fact his only win was first up and he has the visiting Glen Boss to steer. WONDERFUL is yet to win at Singapore but has done everything but and looks the benchmark while OPTIMUS will win sooner than later in this company and is right in this.
1 RUN IT TWICE *** Resuming in very suitable company and has first-up winning form to his name. 8.00
2 SILVER POWER * Blinkers back on after doing nothing last start. Later. 20
3 WONDERFUL *** Just missed in similar affair with heavy support last start and can make amends. 3.00
4 OPTIMUS *** Backed up good debut win with a very good effort doing it tough last start. Follow. 6.00
5 ARION *** Won well at second career start with support and looks more than up to Class 4. 4.00
6 ISANOTHERONE ** Former Kiwi who won on debut over 1400m but wide drawn makes this tough. 12
7 KEVIN ELEVEN ** Won well in easier company last start and will be more than competitive in this. 12
8 SING ROULETTE ** Can lead and often around at the business end. 33
9 DOHATSUTEN * No. 100
10 MORALES ** Ran on well last start in easier company and expect the same again with tongue-tie added. 12
11 GENIUS * No. 100
12 SOUTHERN HUSSLER ** Maiden resuming sans blinkers and should be competitive with no weight. 33
13 SUGARTIME JAZZ ** Continues to show enough to keep safe but like to see in Class 5. 33
